White Trellis With RosesRomans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I hope this will, maybe in part, answer the question about how to "school" our feelings, which, in my opinion, is just channelling thoughts and feelings into a profitable direction. It means to be calmly assured, rather than restless, discontent, upset. It does not come naturally to everyone. A lot of people are very susceptible to suggestion, and their emotions are tuned into just about everything that happens or might happen. Feelings have to be guarded and trained. For example, there are some times you might not feel like making lunch, but you have others to think about and they depend on you to make lunch, so you overcome your feelings and do what is best for them.
Renewing the mind can do many things: it can make the cloudy, dark weather seem inconsequential, as we busy ourselves doing what needs to be done. Renewing the mind can make life richer, just by focusing on what is good. Now and then, someone is going to make a rude remark that will make you feel worthless, but you can endure it by substituting worthwhile activity. Clean a drawer, catch up on correspondence, do some hand work, and foremost of all, fix yourself up as though you are on top of the world.
Conforming to the world also means that we feel controlled by today's fashions,news,music, education, and even by the current personal relationship trends. It is a never-ending cycle of keeping up with everything. The solution is to stick with something you love, whether it be a style of decorating, the reading you like, clothing, cooking, or the type of outings you enjoy, and let the world and its trends pass on by. You won't miss the stress of constant change.
The Bible says that we aren't to be conformed by all that the world is beckonning us to , but to prove what is the good and acceptable will of God. You aren't going to prove the beautiful , God-given role of women in the home if you spend the day upset and worrying. You will prove it if you do not waste time trying to conform to the world's dictates, while giving your home your very best.
I've always believed in substituing a "yes" for a "no." When my mind wants to dwell on bad news, I substitute a favorite hymn or scripture. Each time a plaguing thought comes to your head, sing that song or quote that scripture, even if it happens all day long. It will school the mind and bring something productive and positive into your life.
Here is a verse I like :
Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. "
Here is a
26 comments:
Wonderful words of wisdom!
Another wise post. My sister recently had brain surgery and cleaning, especially ironing, helped me to focus my thoughts and feel a little more in control of an uncontrollable situation.
Also, Isaiah 26:3-4 have long been favorite verses of mine.
Vey wise words. Positive thinking!Thank you.
Excellent!!!
A few years ago we had some trouble within our own little family, each time I would find myself dwelling on what was happening and becoming actually sick with worry, I would said, "Man your battle station!" I can't tell you the number of tears that shined my kitchen sink or washed our dishes. That "battle station" is my at-home altar.
Blessings, Paula
Very wise words indeed!
And Romans 12:1-2 are my life's verses. (o:
Many Blessings,
Michele
My mother always remembers how my grandmother never had one drop of anxiety in her as they were all growing up. She was easy-going, kind and loving.
I believe that her attitude was formed because of the physical work...helping her husband run a self-sustaining family farm including growing all of their veggies, baking, tending cows and chickens, all while raising 11 children.
~ Ann
This is just what I needed to read today. Thank you so much for posting it.
I thrive on security, and I'm trying not to worry right now, because various circumstances seem to be threatening my ability to be at home with my baby. The thought of going back to work full-time fills me with so much anxiety.
But, I have to remind myself to trust in the Lord, and not to worry.
Here's praying you'll be home with your children. I really wish someone would dare to stay home with their baby and check back later to tell of the experience. I doubt very much you will end up living under a bridge. How will you make it? I suppose in the same way that others before us have made it--others before us who had larger families, no available daycare, very little or no money, and very few comforts in the home. Yet women always knew they belonged with their babies. Please read on this site "Do What God Says Do and Let Him Take Care of the Rest." Home living is to a large extent, based on faith and letting God work his work in your life. If we take care of everything ourselves, where is He? Sometimes He wants us to let go and let Him. Of course it won't be the way we expect, but it is all designed to take us on a path that is best for us.
I liked this so much! Romans is my favorite book in the Bible...there's so much "meat & potatoes" in there. When I came to know God more intimately, & felt a real desire to serve Him, Romans was the first book I read all the way through.
Brenda
Oh how I enjoyed this post! Thank you so much Lydia I needed that post!
Love Mrs. Monise
I love this post.
I often sing hymns to brighten my mood - I especially love "Be still & know that I am God".
Recently I had a very stressful day to deal with so I typed the words out and carried them in my pocket all day!
The Lord is good he held my hand, that day.
Many blessings to you Lady Lydia - please keep writing - you talk much sense in a crazy world.
Lynn.
Beautiful post, Lady Lydia!
My favorite verse is Psalm 27:14
"Wait upon the Lord; take heart and be strong and wait upon the Lord."
Thanks for these refreshing thoughts! As always, I so appreciate your blog--your words always have the ring of authenticity, and your messages are so very practical! I have been so thankful over the years for your willingness to share with us. May you be strengthened by the Lord for your work!
Right you are Lady Lydia!
Many years ago I just couldn't handle the pressure of working two jobs, taking care of small children, an ex-husband, etc...BUT we needed the money! My husband worked two jobs, I worked two jobs, but we were constantly without any money. I am not kidding! My word, we still call those the Poverty Days!
Well, I finally crashed and quit both jobs. We lost our apartment (one of my jobs was working at a nursing home where we received room and board). We moved into a camper. Fun? No but it was what was available at the time. Things just kept getting worst until *I* gave it all the God. I have been a home for 14 years, but my Beloved says he feels we've only been married for 10 of those 14. I had no idea that he was planning to start seeking a divorce. When I look back, it's interesting to note that that is about the time I submitted my life completely to my Lord.
"Let go and Let God" is one of my favorite quotes.
Paula
Hi, I really like your blog and find it helpful and inspirational. Just so you know, at the end of every one of your posts, it always says, "Code corrupted. Insert fresh copy." I am viewing in Firefox.
I will have a member of my staff fix it for me ;-)
Hello Mrs. Lydia,
I have enjoyed your posts so much. I have told my 17 year old daughter that I would like her to read some of the posts that you have written so she can glean too.
Isaiah is my favorite book of the Bible. Somewhere in there it says that the flower fades but the word of God is forever. I am paraphrasing it but I just love that verse. It gives me something to stand on when times seem so hard.
God bless you and thank you for such a wonderful place to visit.
Mrs. Damian Garcia
I have been thinking lately about the saying "an idle brain (or hands) is the devil's workshop." I had been battling both forms of idleness lately, and had also been suffering from anxiety. A few days ago, I finally decided to just buckle down and work, and I was surprised at how much better I felt. It is encouraging to me to read this post, because it says the same thing: Work prevents the devil from getting a foothold in your mind because you have already put it to work for God, doing and thinking about what God wants you to think of.
Thank you very much, Lady Lydia, for this inspiring post!
The best relief for anxiety and troubling thoughts is working with the hands. Cleaning house has always been and always will be a great relief for women in this world when there is so much upheaval. My great grandmother was said to always be busy because she couldn't stand idle talk. She would sit and visit for awhile but lose interest if it wasn't very productive, and go clean something or cook something or sew something.
You have no idea how timely this post is Lady Lydia - thank you so much.
And regarding S. Belles' post - maybe this will be of some help:
In the first week of September of 2001 my husband lost his job. We all know what happened on the 11th. At the end of the month, I discovered I was pregnant.
Neither of us could find work. And the bigger I got, the more I just wanted to stay home with my son. And that is exactly what I did.
Was it easy? No. This was very hard on our marriage (we were married barely a year before.) I wish we would have known about frugality and savings and chose not to live off our credit cards.
BUT. I stayed home. My husband was able to help me, and fell in love with our son as completely as I did. There was a bonding among the three of us that is priceless. We weathered the storm, and we are closer now than ever before. (And out of debt.)
It is hard. But it can be done.
Good thoughts!
"The solution is to stick with something you love...You won't miss the stress of constant change." - I so agree. It is very exhausting and anxiety-producing to try to keep up with the Jones'. And, when I look around our humble home, the happiest moments of my day are caring for DD and DH and the little tasks that have to be done. There is a quote that I like that used to be printed on one of the Celestial Seasonings tea boxes: "It is neither wealth nor splendour but tranquility and occupation which give happiness" - Thomas Jefferson
Wonderful post. Thank you for your wise words. It's just what I needed to hear.
Your posts are always so timely for me! Just yesterday I felt I could not take another cold, cloudy day here in Minnesota - Spring just doesn't seem to want to happen, and depression is threatening to settle on my shoulders. So I got busy and totally emptied out my refrigerator and scrubbed it clean and then put everything back in an orderly manner. When I stood back and looked at my 'new' refrigerator I felt so much better and the day seemed brighter! My family teases me about how I always have to clean when I am upset, but it really does take my mind off my troubles.
Lady Lydia- Thank you for reminding me what I already know but tend to forget. I love your site and find it very encouraging.I think it is neat that you are one of the "older" women that is spoken of in Titius.(Even though you don't seem all that old) I find there are very few "older" women in the church who want to encourage or teach younger women. Thank you for not being afraid to speak.
Lady Lydia- Thank you for reminding me what I already know but tend to forget. I love your site and find it very encouraging.I think it is neat that you are one of the "older" women that is spoken of in Titius.(Even though you don't seem all that old) I find there are very few "older" women in the church who want to encourage or teach younger women. Thank you for not being afraid to speak.
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